Narrative:The aircraft departed Hot Springs at 15:45 and climbed to an altitude below the clouds. Just over an hour after takeoff the Lodestar struck a mountain at an altitude of 2,338 feet, 162 feet below the top. Investigation revealed that the aircraft struck the east side of a 20-degree mountain slope on a heading of 65 degrees magnetic while flying nearly parallel to the mountain ridge. The aircraft, in level attitude, first struck the top of a small tree 35 feet above the ground, and then cut a swath approximately 510 feet long and 80 feet wide through the trees.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in attempting VFR flight under instrument conditions over mountainous terrain."

Sources:

» CAB File No. 2-0062

Photos

Map

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path. Distance from Hot Springs-Ingalls Field, VA to Johnstown Airport, PA as the crow flies is 275 km (172 miles).